8) LOSS OF AHRS IN FLT, C-FIT

Rockwell 690-A | N690BM

May 5th, 2024 | Palmyra, Virginia

Accident Location

  • City: Palmyra
  • State: Virginia
  • Latitude: 37.859827
  • Longitude: -78.229488
  • Airport ID:

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N690BM
  • Make: Rockwell
  • Model: 690-A
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Multi Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Latham, John
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 63
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: Airline Transport Pilot
  • IFR Rating: Yes
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 2nd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: May 5th, 2024
  • Time: 8:55 AM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Enroute
  • Total People Onboard: 2
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 1
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 2
  • NTSB No: ERA24FA209
  • NTSB Travel: Yes
  • AQP Classification: 8) LOSS OF AHRS IN FLT, C-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to an inflight be a failure of the AC inverter system, which powers both the Captains HSI and the captains ADI, while in IMC conditions. The pilot attempted to reverse course likely in an attempt to re-acquire VMC conditions, then he asked for a climb. His last altitude was around FL200. The aircraft was observed by ground witnesses coming out of the sky broken at mid fuselage, and on fire. The wreckage was scattered over a large area, indicating that the aircraft had likely over sped, and broken apart in flight.

NTSB: NONE

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends all pilots of all aircraft be familiar with second and third standby attitude backup systems and be prepared to maintain level controlled flight solely by reference to those when necessary. The loss of the AC inverter system would not have affected any other aircraft system, and normal flight could have been maintained, where a safe landing could have been made visually after descending through cloud cover. The DTSB recommends AQP scenario based training for this specific situation.

NTSB: NONE

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.